Main Entry: sur·veil·lance

Pronunciation: \sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s also -ˈvāl-yən(t)s or -ˈvā-ən(t)s\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, from surveiller to watch over, from sur- + veiller to watch, from Old French veillier, from Latin vigilare, from vigil watchful — more at vigil

Date: 1802

: close watch kept over someone or something (as by a detective); also : supervision